Prairie Roots: Lesson Plans

The first step in bringing that dynamic story to life is actually seeing the massive roots that are normally hidden from view. Their sheer size is striking.

But it takes more than simply looking at a preserved root or life-sized image to truly engage in the story of how prairie roots impact and improve soil health and water quality. That’s why the Tallgrass Prairie Center has developed lesson plans to help students learn about the ecological services provided by prairie roots. Developed and aligned to Iowa Core standards for upper elementary and middle school, many of the activities can be adapted for younger and older students.

The following lesson plans were created, reviewed and field-tested by a team of formal and informal educators from across Iowa. Using an active learning approach, they provide fun, engaging activities to promote meaningful learning and enduring knowledge.